OTTAWA — Unifor, the Canadian trade union representing workers, has recently expressed its concerns regarding a request from the package company DHL for government intervention amidst an ongoing strike. This request was formally communicated in a letter that DHL sent last week, which has since been made public through the union's official website.
The letter from DHL highlighted significant changes to federal labor laws that are set to take effect on June 20. Specifically, these changes will ban the use of replacement workers during strikes, which DHL claims could "severely undermine" its operational capabilities. The company warned that a halt in its operations might lead to the loss of approximately 2,800 jobs. Consequently, DHL is asking the government to step in and allow them to maintain their operations while negotiations with the union are ongoing.
In response to DHL’s request, Unifor National President Lana Payne addressed Prime Minister Mark Carney. In her letter, she accused DHL of locking out its workers, which prompted the strike action from the employees. Payne labeled the company’s appeal for a "free pass" to avoid complying with anti-scab legislation as setting “a dangerous precedent.” She articulated that hiring replacement workers, colloquially known as "scabs," results in prolonged disputes and escalates tensions at picket lines, thereby jeopardizing workplace safety. Furthermore, she argued that employing scabs diminishes the incentive for employers to negotiate fair contracts with their workforce.
As negotiations between DHL Express Canada and its employees remain at a standstill, the company has declared that it will commence a nationwide shutdown of operations. As of June 20, DHL plans to cease all parcel deliveries across the country, coinciding with the implementation of the new legislation banning replacement workers. This looming shutdown only adds to the existing labor disputes in the parcel delivery sector, particularly as Canada Post continues to engage in strained negotiations with 55,000 workers, which has also been accompanied by an overtime ban imposed by the union as of last month.
Unifor represents over 2,000 DHL employees, including truck drivers, couriers, and workers in warehouses and call centers throughout Canada. The situation reflects broader challenges within the labor market, especially in essential logistics services, as workers seek to negotiate fair conditions and compensation amid changing labor laws.
